Unwanted Gym Membership

soapwing

My Son who at the time was 18 joined a gym. No paperwork was presented or signed he has a email stating the gym membership is for a minimum 11 months, he is paying by direct debit but is currently unemployed and has no income at all, they tell him he cannot cancel without paying the remainder of the contract (which he doesn't have) can they do this? any help/advice gratefully received.

d70cw6

just cancel the DD.
simples!

Caz3121

soapwing wrote: »

My Son who at the time was 18 joined a gym. No paperwork was presented or signed he has a email stating the gym membership is for a minimum 11 months, he is paying by direct debit but is currently unemployed and has no income at all, they tell him he cannot cancel without paying the remainder of the contract (which he doesn't have) can they do this? any help/advice gratefully received.

He must have signed something for a contract to be formed, even electronically. How long ago did he join? is it a chain with T&Cs online?

Caz3121

d70cw6 wrote: »

just cancel the DD.
simples!

this does not cancel the contract, if there is one, just ends up with debt collectors getting involved

soapwing

Thank you. The gym is Xercise4less. I am going to cancel the DD but I presumed he would still have to pay them?

Monkeyballs

Yeah, he will have signed something... He certainly signed a Direct Debit mandate...

I just went to their website and the sign up process is all done online so while he may not have signed anything in paper agreements were made online.

Personally, I wouldn't cancel the DD just yet because they'll just default the account and as others have mentioned it will start the debt collection process.

MB

soapwing

Ok many thanks for your help appreciate it.

nomoneytoday

Caz3121 wrote: »

this does not cancel the contract, if there is one, just ends up with debt collectors getting involved

Although being unemployed with no money, there's not a huge amount they can do today IMHO.

However, they have until he's in his mid 20s to screw his credit.

bargainbetty

Ask them for a copy of the signed agreement, with the cancellation terms and conditions in writing, or access to an online version of it with his confirmation of direct debit etc.

Check they are telling the truth and then see where you go from there.

James_B.

Another idea is that he use the gym now that he has time on his hands, and perhaps find some part-time seasonal work to help cover the costs.

Fridge03

Most gyms are fairly reasonable in regards to losing employment or moving away from the area.

Has he explained the situation to them? I know that when I was made redundant, I just showed the gym my letter and they cancelled my year membership straight away.